enabler
noun
en·abler
i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 
: one that enables another to achieve an end
especially
: one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (such as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behavior
Did you know?
Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler
Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.
Examples of enabler in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next year when January 6 insurrectionists and election saboteurs like Tina Peter are pardoned and election deniers and their silent enablers assume cabinet posts and leadership of powerful congressional committees, try not to be cynical.
—
Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
To boost economic growth requires the broad enablers of growth, such as regulatory transparency, planning reform, energy, investing in a skilled workforce, among others.
—London Business School, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
The politicians wanted to stop the billions of dollars flowing to Assad’s sanctioned regime, and also to his allies and enablers in Iran and Lebanon.
—Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
My formative years were defined by consequence-free lies about weapons of mass destruction and collateralized debt obligations—the victims losing everything while the perpetrators and their enablers were re-elected or moved seamlessly on to lucrative speaking engagements and advisory boards.
—Keenan Robbins, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enabler 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
To boost economic growth requires the broad enablers of growth, such as regulatory transparency, planning reform, energy, investing in a skilled workforce, among others.
—London Business School, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
The politicians wanted to stop the billions of dollars flowing to Assad’s sanctioned regime, and also to his allies and enablers in Iran and Lebanon.
—Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
My formative years were defined by consequence-free lies about weapons of mass destruction and collateralized debt obligations—the victims losing everything while the perpetrators and their enablers were re-elected or moved seamlessly on to lucrative speaking engagements and advisory boards.
—Keenan Robbins, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enabler
Dictionary Entries Near enabler
Cite this Entry
“Enabler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enabler. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
enabler
noun
en·abler
i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər
: one that enables another to achieve an end
especially
: one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by helping that individual avoid the consequences of such behavior
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share